DENVER, CO - Gotham Greens, a Whole Foods partner, announced it will be moving into a new greenhouse in the mountain region of Colorado. The new 30,000-square-foot greenhouse in the Denver metro area will deliver a year-round supply of fresh, local produce to retailers, restaurants, and foodservice customers across seven states in the mountain region. The move comes at a pivotal time as the company rolls out two new lettuce varieties for its partners.
“Given the current pressures on our country's food system, one thing is clear: the importance of strengthening our national food supply through decentralized, regional supply chains,” said Viraj Puri, Co-Founder and CEO. “Our business model has enabled us to remain nimble during these unprecedented times and continue to deliver fresh, locally-grown produce to customers and our communities. Now more than ever, we are committed to delivering high-quality, long-lasting, and nourishing produce to people when it's needed most.”
This new location will be the company’s eighth greenhouse. According to the press release, in addition to its rapid expansion of greenhouse openings across the country, Gotham Greens recently launched its line of fresh salad dressings at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. The company sells four dressing varieties: Green Goddess, Vegan Goddess, Basil Caesar, and Lemon Basil Vinaigrette.
The greenhouse will deliver a year-round supply of fresh, local produce to grocery retailers across seven states, including Whole Foods Market, Choice Markets, Alfalfa's, and more. This includes two new lettuce varieties: Crispy Green Leaf and Rocky Mountain Crunch. Gotham Greens also will partner with restaurant and foodservice customers in the area as businesses begin to reopen. Gotham Greens' eighth greenhouse brings the Brooklyn, New York-based, privately held company's total annual production to nearly 35 million heads of lettuce and distribution to more than 30 states nationwide.
“Although we never envisioned our Denver greenhouse opening and national salad dressing rollout happening during a global pandemic, we’re proud to be providing people across the country with healthy, fresh food options they can get excited about,” Puri said. “With the rise of cooking at home, we’re seeing consumers get creative and enjoy our dressings in a variety of different ways—as a savory dip, tangy marinate, or freshly tossed with salad greens."
Gotham Greens is creating 30 green jobs in the Denver area. The company’s produce is grown close to its customers using hydroponic systems in 100 percent renewable electricity-powered greenhouses that use 95 percent less water and 97 percent less land than conventional farming. In the future, the greenhouse will serve as an educational resource on the benefits of sustainable indoor farming.
Exciting things are underway for the retail, dressings, and leafy green sectors! For more fresh produce and retail news, keep checking back on ANUK as we bring you the latest.
